The likelihood of the Department of Agriculture introducing a crisis fund for tillage farmers is growing. Speaking in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday as part of a
trade mission to the Gulf States, Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed confirmed to the Irish Farmers Journal that he is willing to establish a fund.
The likelihood of the Department of Agriculture introducing a crisis fund for tillage farmers is growing.
Speaking in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday as part of a trade mission to the Gulf States, Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed confirmed to the Irish Farmers Journal that he is willing to establish a fund.
“What I have committed to is engagement with the IFA on this matter and that is what we are doing. And what I’ve said clearly is that if there’s a way, there’s a will,” the minister said.
Some 300 farmers experienced serious financial loss in 2016 when wet weather prevented farmers along the western seaboard from harvesting crops in time.
IFA survey
An IFA survey of growers put the overall loss at €4.1m. Farmers lost €3.032m on grain and €1.073m on straw.
Fianna Fáil agriculture spokesman Charlie McConalogue and the IFA have mounted a sustained campaign for a crisis fund for the affected farmers.
In January, McConalogue laid down a Dáil motion calling for such a fund.
The Government lost the vote and the issue was brought to the tillage forum two weeks ago, where no definitive outcome on the crisis fund was reached.
Minister Creed’s words to the Irish Farmers Journal are the clearest indication yet that a tillage crisis fund is not far away.
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